Interleaving machine



Jan. 10, 1967 w. LOTZ INTERLEAVING MACHINE 5 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1963 [NVENTOR WALTER ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1967 w. LOTZ 3,296,768

INTERLEAVING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WALTER VL OTZ A TTORNEY Jan. 10, 1967 w. LOTZ INTERLEAVING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 16, 1963 INVENTOR 2 WALTER LQTZ ATTORNEY United States Iatent O 3,2%,768 INTERLEAVING MACHINE Walter Lotz, 1133 Don Mills Road, Apt. 605, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada Filed Dec. 16, 1%3, Ser. No. 330,793 3 tjlairns. (Cl. 53-74) This invention relates to improvements in an interleaving machine and appertains particularly to one embodying a product-carrying conveyor with an associated interleaving material feed device controlled by the product on the conveyor.

In existing machines for interleaving, difficulty is encountered in the feeding of the interleaving material especially thin films, cellophane etc., so that recourse is often had to heavier and stiffer sheet material than is needed or desirable. Furthermore, the need to readjust the sheet feeding machine to vary the length of the sheet for products of different sizes is a disadvantage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interleaving machine having a sheet feeding mechanism, for use in conjunction with a product conveyor, wherein the delivery timing, placement and length of the sheet are subject to the movement of the conveyor-carried product.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interleaving machine having a novel sheet feeding mechanism that projects the leading edge of the interleaving material into the path of the product for direct contact thereby, which material is supported on both sides by confronting companion conveyors almost to the point of engagement by the product, thereby permitting the use of even very thin and flimsy films of cellophane, polyethylene, Wax paper or other desired interleaving sheet material.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interleaving machine having a product conveyor and sheet feeding mechanism under control of the product on the conveyor that both times the feed of the interleaving material and determines the length of the sheet to be severed therefrom, proportioning each to the individual product.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interleaving machine with a sheet feeding system embodying a sheet severing device wherein the sheet supply feed mechanism in advance of the severing device is under intermittent drive While the delivery end of the sheet feed mechanism beyond the severing device is under continuous drive.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interleaving machine having a sheet severing device under control of the moving product that is assisted in fracturing the sheet by the pull exerted thereon by the continuing feed action of the companion conveyors at the delivery end.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an interleaving machine of the nature and for the purpose described that is characterized by structural simplicity, self-adjusting versatility to the product being handled and operational efficiency, whereby the same is rendered commercially desirable.

To the accomplishment of these and related objects as shall become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as shall be hereinafter more fuliy described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

The invention will be best understood and can be more clearly described when reference is had to the drawings forming a part of this disclosure wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the machine;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view thereof;

Patented Jan. I0, 1967 FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical section of the interleaving material supply roll support and tensioning device, as taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse vertical section of the sheet feeding mechanism in the area of the sheet severing device, as taken on line 55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a substantially horizontal transverse section of the sheet feed tensioning device mount, as taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of the sheet feeding confronting companion conveyors, sheet severing device and associated parts, as taken on line 77 of FIG- URE 3; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged side elevational detail of the adjustably mounted, product engaging, controlling microswitch.

In the process of interleaving, my machine is designed to meet three requirements l) to time the delivery of the interleaving material relative to the movement of the product, (2) to place it in a positive and controlled manner, i.e., to position it properly under the product, and (3) to vary the length of the several sheets to the individual product being interleaved.

To this end, the embodiment of the interleaving machine disclosed herein will be seen to comprise essentially a product conveyor, a supply of interleaving material such as a roll of waxed paper, cellophane or the like, a sheet feeding system including a sheet cutter or severing device, a power supply to drive the product-carrying conveyor and the sheet feeding system, and a governor under control of the conveyor-carried product to relate the operation of the several parts.

A frame rises from a base 1 and consists of a spaced pair of input end posts 2 and a similarly spaced pair of output end posts 3 braced with horizontal side rails 4 and an end rail 5 across the output end, the posts carrying top side rails 6 that project beyond the posts at both ends. Between the spaced top side rails 6, a horizontal longitudinally extending conveyor is arranged to run from the input to the output end, being formed in two longitudinally aligned sections 7 and 8 respectively with a space between their adjacent ends located at the position of posts 5, for the purpose of admitting the interleaving sheet in a manner to be later set forth. Transverse shafts 9 and 19 support opposite ends of conveyor section 7 and shafts 11 and 12 support opposite ends of conveyor section 8.

The interleaving sheet material normally comes in a large roll, here designated by the numeral 14 to accommodate which a transversely disposed mandrel 15 is journalled in bearing brackets to that rise from the frames side rails 4. A large drag drum 17 is mounted on the mandrel shaft exteriorly of the bracket and is engaged by an adjustable drag band 18 having a take-up nut 19 relating to the side rail 4- on one end and connected to a pivoted lever 20 at the other end. A sheet tensioning bail comprising a roller bar 21 and a pair of side arms 22 swings from the side rails 4. On one end of the bail shaft exterior of the frame is a lever arm 23 that acts as a bell crank with a laterally projecting pintle 24 that rides on the upper side of the free end of lever 20, operating to release the drag on the roll 14 of interleaving material when feed is called for, so that the bail is lifted and applying drag to arrest rotation of the roll when the sheet feed slackens and the tensioning bail swings downwardly.

For delivering a sheet of interleaving material of the desired length to the gap that separates the sections 7 and 8 of the product-carrying conveyor this machine employs a sheet feeding mechanism for carrying the sheet material from the supply roll 14, including feed rollers, a sheet severing device and a special continuous engagement sheet carrying assembly to present the sheet in a positive manner, in the proper position and at the right 3 time for engagement by the conveyor-carried product for underlying the same.

A pair of horizontal feed rollers 26-27 extend transversely of the frame, being carried on shaft 28-29 jourmalled in the frame posts 3 and below inner roller 26, which is the one nearer the supply roll 14, there is an idler roller 30 with spaced feed guides 31, 32 between 'the outer side of the idler and the entrance of the space between the rollers 26-27.

From a point beyond or above the feed rollers 26-27 to the gap between the product conveyor sections 7 and 8, it is desirable to support the sheet material continuously on both sides thereof and to provide it with a positive force feed especially when very thin or lightweight interleaving material is being used and also to assure the positive placement of the sheet. To carry the interleaving material at this delivery end of the sheet feeding course, I prefer to employ a pair of confronting force feed carriers in the form of vertically arranged, transverse, pressure loaded rubber belts 33-34, running over rollers 35-36 and 37-38 respectively, the lower rollers 35 and 37 in each case being directly above the drive rollers 26-27 and the first upper roller 36 being below the shaft 10 of product-carrying conveyor section 7 and the upper roller 38 of the outer carrier belt 34 being located at a higher level, namely in the gap between the conveyor sections 7 and 8 and substantially in line with the respective conveyor shafts 10 and 11. Accordingly, the belt rollers 35, 36 and 37 will be journalled in the frame posts 3 while roller 38 will be journalled in the top side rail 6. A sheet guide 39 rises from the outer side of belt roller 36 to the u per side of the frame rail 6, curving toward the conveyor section 8 at its upper end. The force feed rubber belts 33-34 are shown as consisting of a plurality of spaced flexible bands that run in grooves in their respective rollers 35-36 and 37-38.

Between the feed rollers 26-27 and the lower beltcarrying rollers 35-37 a sheet severing device is located. It consists of a fixed blade in the form of a transverse horizontal shelf or bar 40 disposed above the feed roller 26 and a spring-urged reciprocating blade 41 slidable thereover that is guided in bearing 42 and actuated by an electric solenoid 43 mounted on the frame end rail which is of angle shape, as shown clearly in FIGURE 7.

Supplied by a suitable power source, a conventional motor not shown drives the main power shaft 45 by a chain 46 engaging the sprocket 47. From a sprocket 48 on this power shaft 45, a chain 49 engages a sprocket 50 on the shaft of conveyor section 7. On the opposite side of the product conveyor, shafts 10 and 11 each carry a sprocket 51 and 52 connected by a chain 53 so that the two conveyor sections are caused to travel as one. Also on shaft 11 is another sprocket 54 that connects by chain 55 with a sprocket 56 on the lower belt roller 37, thereby simultaneously driving the rubber belt 34 and as the confronting companion belt 33 is pressed into friction engagement with it by an adjustable pressure spring device 57 operating on shaft 35, this delivery end portion of the sheet feed mechanism synchronizes with the running of the product conveyor sections 7 and 8.

Shaft 29 of feed roller 27 also carries a sprocket 58 :that is connected by chain 59 with a sprocket 60 on drive :shaft 45 but subject to an electrically operated clutch brake 61 to engage or disengage it from being driven by the drive shaft. The companion feed roller 26 is pressed into friction driving engagement with this driven :feed roller 27 by an adjustable pressure spring device 62.

The control of the clutch brake 61 and the actuation of its associated chain sprocket 60 that drives feed roller 27 and also the energizing of the solenoid 43 that retracts the sheet severing blade 41 is provided in a microswitch 65 which when closed supplies electric circuit to the solenoid 43 and the electro clutch brake 61. This switch having a power input from a suitable source is mounted over the conveyor section 7 on a bracket 66 in which it is adjustable transversely of the underlying conveyor section and which bracket is longitudinally adjustable on the frame top side rail 6 to which it is attached, as seen in FIGURE 8. A switch arm 67 descends from the switch 65 to a point just above the conveyor for sure engagement by a product being carried therealong.

In use, the leading edge of a sheet of interleaving material from the supply roll 14 is passed under the tension bar 21, then under the idler 30 and up between the guides 31-32 for gripping engagement of the companion pair of feed rollers 26-27 to the underside of cutter bar 41. When the power drive is ON the conveyor sections 7 and 8 and the companion confronting force feed rubber belts 33-34 are running but it is not until the arm 67 of the micro-switch 65 is contacted by a product on the conveyor 7 that (a) the solenoid retracts the cutter blade 41 and (b) the electric clutch brake 61 connects sprocket 60 with the drive shaft 45 and sets the feed rollers 26-27 in motion. Then the sheet is advanced to the force feed belts 33-34, and, reaching the level of the conveyors, is turned by the delivery end guide 39 toward the second conveyor section 8.

The adjustment of the micro-switch arm 67 should be such that just after the emergence of the leading edge of the sheet above the conveyor, it will be engaged by the product advancing along the conveyor. Immediately the trailing edge of the product passes from contact with the switch arm, the switch breaks contact with the result that (a) the solenoid is deenergized so that the cutter blade severs the sheet on the line of engagement with the fixed blade 40 and (b) the electro clutch brake arrests the drive to feed rollers 26-27 which hold the sheet end but cause momentary slack back on the sheet feed so that the tension bail 22 swings downwards applying pressure by the bell crank arm 23 on the lever 20 that in turn pulls on the drag band 18 to stop rotation of the unwinding roll 14. The breaking of the circuit at the micro-switch, however, does not interrupt the running of the conveyor sections or the force feed sheetdelivering belts so that the product with the severed sheet of interleaving material properly located under it moves along the second conveyor section 8 for disposal as desired. Succeeding products follow along the conveyor section 7 in properly spaced relation and at a speed of up to per minute, being similarly provided with an interleaving sheet positioned thereunder and with its leading edge at a predetermined distance ahead of the product. It is notable too that each interleaving sheet is cut to a length proportionate to the length of the product, the longitudinal position of the product on the sheet and the length of the sheet being determined by the length of the product in its engagement with the switch lever and the adjustment of the switch above the first conveyor section relative to the gap between the conveyor sections through which the sheet is fed.

The machine illustrated in the attached drawings is intended specifically for interleaving prepared food items such as pieces of meat, commonly called patties in the trade, that may vary considerably in size and for this reason it is necessary to vary the length of the sheet. On this account the sheet feed supply and the sheet severing blade are under control of the product travelling along the conveyor in advance of the sheet delivery at the conveyor gap while the conveyor sections and sheet delivery force feed belts run continuously and in synchrony, with the result that each patty travels at an even rate along the conveyor sections, being underlaid with a sheet of individually measured interleaving material as it crosses the gap between the conveyor sections and as the interleaved patties travel along the second conveyor section, the spaces between interleaving sheets represents those periods when the conveyors and sheet delivery belts were operating whilst the supply sheet feed rollers were arrested and the sheet severing blade barred the sheet advance.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that an interleaving machine is provided that will fulfill all the necessary requirements of such a device, but as many changes could be made in the above description and many apparently widely different embodiments of the invention may be constructed within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all matters contained in the said accompanying specification and drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitive or restrictive sense.

What is claimed as new is:

1. An interleaving machine comprising in combination a product conveyor formed in two spaced longitudinally arranged sections, a sheet feeding mechanism including a holder for a supply of sheet material, a pair of confronting feed rollers between which the material from said holder passes, a pair of confronting force-feed carriers comprising vertically arranged pressure loaded belts in continuous engagement with the sheet at the delivery end and discharging at the space between the sections of said conveyor, said carriers being spaced from said feed rollers, a sheet severing device disposed between said feed rollers and said carriers, and driving means for the machine subject to the control of product on said conveyor.

2. The combination with the interleaving machine according to claim 1 in which the force-feed carriers for the sheet at the delivery end operate continuously in synchrony with the product conveyor; of a governor for intermittently actuating the feed rollers and sheet severing device in response to product passing along the conveyor.

3. The interleaving machine according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor and force-feed carriers are driven in synchrony; an electrically serviced micro-switch adjustable longitudinally with respect to said conveyor; a circuit closing arm hanging therefrom into the path of product travelling along said conveyor; an electro clutch brake mechanism for driving said feed rollers; and a connection between said switch and said clutch brake mechanism for driving said feed rollers while said switch arm is engaged by the conveyor carried product, thereby providing sheet material of a length proportionate to the size of each individual product carried by the conveyor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,636,654 4/1953 Sykes 53389 2,860,462 11/195 8 Sykes 53-196 X 2,964,895 12/1960 Powers 5374 X 3,001,352 9/1961 Harrison 53-389 3,029,571 4/1962 Douthit 5366 GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner. 

1. AN INTERLEAVING MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A PRODUCT CONVEYOR FORMED IN TWO SPACED LONGITUDINALLY ARRANGED SECTIONS, A SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM INCLUDING A HOLDER FOR A SUPPLY OF SHEET MATERIAL, A PAIR OF CONFRONTING FEED ROLLERS BETWEEN WHICH THE MATERIAL FROM SAID HOLDER PASSES, A PAIR OF CONFRONTING FORCE-FEED CARRIERS COMPRISING VERTICALLY ARRANGED PRESSURE LOADED BELTS IN CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SHEET AT THE DELIVERY END AND DISCHARGING AT THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SECTIONS OF SAID CONVEYOR, SAID CARRIERS BEING SPACED FROM SAID FEED ROLLERS, A SHEET SEVERING DEVICE DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FEED ROLLERS AND SAID CARRIERS, AND DRIVING MEANS FOR THE MACHINE SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL OF PRODUCT ON SAID CONVEYOR. 